I did it!!!!

It's no secret...I'm technologically challenged...(maybe spellinweirdwords challenged too), but I did it!!! I set up our printer all by myself and I even scanned my first picture...my ultrasound from the other day. See, I really am pregnant.


Also, it's 11:00 pm and I just finished doing my kid's report for him....or I mean, typing his report for him. And BTW, why does he even have a report in the 2nd grade? Really? He can't type to save his life and I'm sure his teacher knows that the parents will do all of the work for them. What's the point in the end? It is an animal report and he picked Komodo dragon which is kind of fun to learn about...but I'm in my 30's and don't need to be doing a report on them!!!! Rant Rant Rant...Blah Blah Blah...

Baby Countdown...

So not much is happening around here...I did however get my Baby Countdown Ticker up and I do think it's pretty cute...we'll see on the boy or girl thing...according to the chinese calendar, it's a boy, but it hasn't always been right for me...what about you?

The kids are all doing well except for Jenner, she now has a cold and is suffering a bit. She isn't sleeping through the night again and it's driving me CRAZY...I am soooo tired!

I am feeling better and not relying on the Ginger Ale too much anymore...However, I am always HUNGRY...and I was never like this with the other 4 preggos...what is going on? Just yesterday at Sam's, Jenner and I shared some pizza and that usually does it for me....NOT this time, I had to do a drive through at Taco Bell and get a taco and some chips...Oh My Gosh...if you know me and have seen me lately the last thing I NEED is to gain weight with this pregnancy...With Grady and Jenner I gained less than 10 lbs. and I am already at 8 lbs with this one....Holy Moly...see my reasons for thinking it was twins?

Now for some recent photos...

The kids slept out in the family room last night and Jenner wanted to join in on the fun

This picture cracks me up...She loves this hat and wears it all the time

Cute little Taylor

Just One Chicken!!!!

Now What?

Now what?...Now that my secret is out...what do I blog about? Let's see...hmmm...I'm thinking! I could tell you that on Friday Jan. 30, Taylor was put on an antibiotic for Strep Throat and then on Friday Feb. 6, she broke out in a horrible rash...me thinking is was from the antibiotic and dismissed all other possibilities. Sunday, she finishes the antibiotic...still with a rash that has now doubled. Monday Feb. 9, I keep her home from school because of the mysterious rash and put a call into the Dr...during the wait for the call back I remember that she went in her friends hot tub Thursday...Oh Crap...she's allergic...she has Hot Tub Folliculitis...she had it about 3 years ago and hasn't been in a hot tub since...poor kid!

Also on Monday Feb. 9, we take Rhett to the orthodontist for a consult...we are thinking that he definitely needs braces and it will probably set us back about $1500...we were wrong. Not only does he need braces on the top but the bottom as well AND a new appliance that will correct his tongue thrust...his tongue thrust is so severe that it not only has moved his top teeth but the bottom as well AND the poor kid can't even close his mouth without using some chin muscle...total cost for Phase I (he will have 2 phases)...$2330! ARGHHH!!! What the crap?

Now it's Wednesday Feb. 11, and we now have Taylor on another antibiotic now for the Hot Tub Folliculitis because it COULD turn into staph (it has tripled)...holy moly...AND today also, Rhett had a visit to the foot Dr. for an ingrown toenail that he had to have removed...CRAZY...and he is now on an antibiotic too...

You would think that by now not only would I own some serious stock in Tanner Clinic...I would at least have reserved parking...right?

Now for some photos...

This is Jenner doing her best impression of her Dad...And today, she said (with prompting...) "Maaa...I poopy!"

This here is my new best friend and I normally don't get sick while impregnated...

Also, I have this sneeking suspicion that there is more that one little bean in the oven...Call me crazy but I can't shake the feeling...and like I said above...I never get sick while pregnant and this time I am sick...and my uterus is already to my belly button...and I have that feeling...we'll see...ultrasound on Tues...

What did you do with your Tax Return?

I have been thinking alot about Tax Returns lately...tis the season...and I was wondering what you are doing with yours. Chris and I usually get a pretty good return and this was no exception...but as usual, our list of "things" we want to do with it is longer than a roll of toilet paper...so, we narrowed it down to these few items...

1. Braces for this guy...Look at those pearly whites...

2. A new washer...it was inevitable and had to be done...and I am not complaining at all!

3. This little thing...who knew they would cost so much when you don't have insurance...Oh wait...I do...

I am 8 weeks and the little one is due Sept. 18!
disclaimer: not my actual sono but this one looks just like the one he took!

So, please do tell...What did you do with your Tax Return?

Ode to drive throughs...

Ode to the drive through...Syracuse has this new pizza place called PizzaRetti and it's kind of like a Little Ceasar's...only $5.00 for a pizza...but the best part is....IT HAS A DRIVE THROUGH!!! How genious of them to think of this...I thought I was on to something way back in the 90's when I thought we should invent a drive through video store (RedBox) and a drive through pizza joint (PizzaRetti)...DANG IT...I should have listened to my instincts...

Oh well...I will make my millions some how...now if they only had drive through bathrooms...hmmmmmmm!

Under the table...

This is how my sweet angel likes to eat her food...under the table...weird huh? And yes I do have 3 other kids but they are at school all day and miss out on all of the "fun" Jenner and I have...

Let's see, what else is new...Taylor is on a school field trip to Snowbasin today...SKIING...and my anxiety over this is in overdrive...She, however was very excited this morning and I hope the excitement doesn't turn into pure FEAR by the end of the day. Here's hoping and praying...

Rhett has an orthodontic appointment for braces soon and we'll see how much that is going to set us back. His teeth are hideous and they make me laugh when he smiles...poor kid...mean mom!

Our washer broke down the other day and we were able to get it working again but have to do small loads, and by small I mean maybe 1 pair of jeans and t-shirt and 3 socks...fun times. I have been doing laundry non-stop since Sunday and I see no light at the end of the tunnel...we went to RC Willey last night and found some sweet models that may cost us one of our children, but you have to have a washer right? We'll see who'll draw the short straw on this one...mmmm, I'm hoping for.....Nevermind!!!

Other than that...Jenner and I are at home all day...doing nothing...in fact, it's almost 2:00 pm and I still haven't showered...wish you were here! My life as a stay-at-home mom...jealous yet? I might be a little down in case you didn't notice but...I still have my family, home and health and a job...for now. Oh, I applied for the phlebotomy training program at McKay Dee...wish me luck! I'll know more in a couple of weeks and I am HOPING I get it...we could really use it right now~

Until next time...

Word to my Mutha...

My mom has a sixth sense about things...she can sense when something isn't right in her children's lives...today she organized a girls shopping trip to Provo and lo and behold...we shopped. We went to Costco and shopped our little hearts out and I came home with a hefty load of groceries...what an amazing lady...Word to my Mutha!!!

Going outside...

Hi...my name is Jenner and I am a fiesty red-headed step child...These are some pictures of me that my mom took the other day...I just wanted to go outside...in the evening...in my jammies...what's so wrong with that?

Gettine my jacket and hat on...

Trying to do up the zipper myself (I'm smart huh?)

Banging on the garage door cuz I'm still not tall enough to just open it myself...and yes, I'm sure I could if I tried and I was tall enough!

My mom wanted me to say..."Hey Uncle Bobby...remember when you used to run around the house with underwear on your head? Cuz she does!! HaHaHa!!!"

Whatever that means mom...I kinda think I look cute!

Oh, and does anyone want an extra can of vegetable beef soup?

Vegetable Beef...

When I go grocery shopping I put thought into every item I buy when thinking of dinners for my family. When I saw the vegetable beef soup I instantly thought it would be something Chris would like. When looking for something to eat, I suggested that he have the soup and he agreed. Whilst making the soup (warming it up) he noticed an odd piece of meat that had what he says were "ventricals" coming out of it. He threw that piece out and continued to eat more. Can you say he might be a little CRAZY when it comes to meat. He then contined to check every piece of meat before he ate it and was a little skiddish at that...I on the other hand have my weirdities too because I took it personal when he said..."Could there be any weirder meat in a soup?" Because I picked the soup and thought alot about it...my feelings were hurt. I know...weird!

Saturdays...

Why is it that nobody blogs on Saturdays and Sundays...is it because our hubbies are home and need our full attention...is it because our kids are home and need our full attention...is it because we are too exhausted from a full week of running around...why oh why? I still check on my blogs several times every Saturday and Sunday and I am usually upset and saddened when there are no new post (except for Carrie S...you made my day, Thanks)...So tell me...Why don't you blog on Saturdays and Sundays?

Another question...I am a CSI watcher, not the Miami or the NY but the original...Vegas...and I have always wondered why the lights never seem to work when they are "investigating" and "collecting evidence"...the power in Vegas must be awfully expensive...those poor CSI's have to use those teeny tiny little flashlights to get anything done...don't you agree? And yes, I know they work the night shift but still, can't they turn on the lights?

Some pictures and What happens when...?

Wanna boogie?

Dr. Lichtensteinberger at your service...

What happens when you shake your head violently while someone takes your picture?
This sweet photo...

And this...

And this..

you get it...

My 2nd top pick...

3rd place...

And the winner is...

Tyler's very handsome picture wins my vote!

Why I love Grady...

Reasons why we love Grady...and his big 7 year old self...

He loves snakes
He likes to breakdance
He likes to try almost any food and then tends to like it
He calls chicken noodle soup with vegis..."chicken little soup with fruit"
He sure can snuggle
He usually makes good decisions
He loves to make Jenner laugh
He has the cutest, tiniest little camoflauge underwear
He gets out of his bed 50 times a night...Oh wait, I HATE THAT!
He has the same mannerisms as his dad
When he grows up, he wants to live at the cabin with Papa
His best friend is Rhett and they play so well
He loves the dentist

Just a few reasons why he is so amazing and such an awesome kid...we love him so much and wish him the Bestest Birthday Ever!

My Diet Coke saga...

This is how I feel about Diet Coke...it should be a saint and given as a gift to the heavens...but, I have realized that for some time now I need to quit. Today I only had one diet coke, a feat in and of itself...and I feel fine. I will try this new adventure and it can be done because I have done it before...we'll see how well I do this time. Wish me luck and if you have any suggestions for kicking the habit, please let me know.

A Blonde Moment...

I tend to pride myself in my intelligence and I do think I am mostly smart, but when it comes to technology...I am a total blonde (disclaimer: I think I am a brunette although it's hard to tell under all of this dye)...Well, we got a new camera for Christmas and I was loving all of the sweet pictures I was getting until the batteries died...I purchased those fancy rechargable batteries and got them in and the camera was totally dead...I was furious, we only took about 30 pictures and the think just stopped working. Yesterday I took it back (with the receipt) and good ol' fashioned Wal-Mart said that they won't return cameras after 30 days of purchase...WHAT? The girl was so nice and decided to call in the camera guy to see if he would override the 10 extra days. When I came back to customer service, the camera guy spotted me asked if this was my camera...and then proceeded to say that it works great...WHAT? He said all I needed was some decent batteries...I have decent batteries, in fact they are the same batteries that he was using...but OOPS...I put them in wrong! HaHaHa...

Holy Chicken Alfredo and Homemade Bread BATMAN!!!

See here for more details...are you drooling yet?

Blasted McDonalds...

Today is a sad day...McDonalds quit giving away refills for only $.25 cents...I am in mourning...I love McDonalds diet coke...let's have a moment of silence...

Now I have to endure the 7-11 diet coke which isn't nearly as good...poor me!

And for some pictures....

Chris' mom got Taylor and Haley matching pj's from American Girl for themselves and their dolls...sooooo cute!

Sarah is AMAZING...she copied this Awesome Cupcake Tower from Taste of Home mag and perfected it...doesn't it look so GOOD!

Kids: Zachary, Haley, Taylor, Kelsey, Rhett, Grady and Amanda

To all my Springhaven Buddies...

Dear ward members...

I am sad (but not too sad) that Chris and I neglected to fulfill our callings this Sunday...you see, we were out of town last week and failed to hear that our church meetings would still be at 11:00am instead of the new time of 1:00pm. Our morning went by with gloriousness and we proceeded to get ready for church when Jenner fell asleep...me being the nice mom that I am told Chris that I would take the kids to Primary and I would go to Nursery and he could come when Jenner woke up. We proceeded out the door at a prompt 2:00pm (right when Sacrament Meeting gets over) and walked into an EMPTY nursery room with our fearless leader, Amee cleaning up...WHAT THE H!!!!! (oops, this is a churchy post)...I AM SO SORRY AMEE...(Chris is laughing so hard right now) I guess our church schedule didn't change and we showed up right when church ended...(the kids giggled and said "this is awesome"..."can we do church like this every week!")

Alas, until next week at 11:00 am...(if I bold it and type it really big, I might remember it)

Daddy, I want candy!

Jenner was running around tonight and heard the crumpling of a candy wrapper...an all too familiar noise when Daddy's at the island counter...she rushed over to beg for a piece and lucky for her Daddy shared...some of it...not much though...she wanted more...

Maybe if I follow him to the sink he'll give me some more...
Maybe if I hit his leg he'll give me some more...

Maybe if I butter him up with some cuddle time he'll give me some more...

Maybe I'll just go to the store myself and get my OWN candy!!! Useless girly girl tactics...

Normal or Not?

I find myself comparing my little family and our little life to others around me and I am often wondering...are we normal or not? Below are a few examples of our normalness and our not-so-normalness...

Normal...various McDonald's cups rinsed out and laying around waiting for their fill up of $.25 diet coke...

Normal...Jenner climbing into the cupboards and playing "house"...

Normal...Rhett making his "I love this food" face while gagging down his dinner...

Not...Rhett actually finishing his dinner without making this face...

Not...The kitchen in this state (which I consider to be pretty clean)

Not...Chris jammin on the microphone with a pirate hat on...oh wait, that's totally NORMAL!

Not...Chris ending up on the floor whilst playing tag with the boys...

Normal...laundry, laundry everwhere...waiting to be put away

Not...Taylor making dinner for all of us (it's only mac n-cheese people)...

Not...Jenner actually giving kisses...notice the enticing piece of candy in my mouth...

There you have it...What's normal or not in your life?